Oil cleaner and rectifier



Sept. 6 1927.

c. soRAclo on.` CLEANER AND REGTIFIER Filed' Nov. 18. 192s @n i w w w Patented sept. e, i927.

uNiTEo STATES CARMELO SORACIO, F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

y OIL CLEANER AND RECTIFIER.

Application filed November 18, 1926. Serial No. 149,226.

The present invention relates to oil clean ing and rectifylng apparatus, primarlly 1ntended for use in connection with internal combustion engines of that type whereinthe lubricating oil is repeatedly-used over and over.

The primary object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character whereby impurities may be removed from the lubricating oil of the engine and thereby eliminating possible injury to those moving parts intended to be lubricated by the oil contained in the crank case of the engine.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of apparatus of this character embodying features whereby fuel oils which have become mixed with the lubrieating oil are vaporized and admitted into the intake manifold of the engine for forming a part of the explosive charge of the en `ine.

'still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus as specified, whereby the lubricating oil in its cycle of movement through the apparatus is automatically returned to the crank case of the engine free from foreign matter and also lighter products such as gasoline.

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character embodying a purilier for the oil, with means so connected with the purifier as to draw oli' all vapor gases from the purifier and pass the gases to suitable apparatus whereby the gases will be further filtered before entrance into the combustion chamber of the engine and the products of condensation from the gases delivered back into the crank case of the engine. n

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character which is of extremely simple and durable construction, and which apparatus may be readily applied to various existing types of automobile engines.

' the improved apparatus applied thereto.

Figure 2 is an enlarged central vertical section through", the purifier of the apparatus.

Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section thru a preheater forming part of the apparatus, the section being taken substantially along the line 3 3- of Figure 6 and shown in position upona fragmentary portion of the exhaust manifold of the engine. y

Figure 4 is a central vertical section through a condenser or separator forminga part of the cleaner apparatus.

Figure 5 is a transverse section on line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6, is a transverse section on line 6-6 of Figure 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawing in detail, and

wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A may designate a conventional type of internal combustion enn gine such as employed to form the motive powerfor self propelledv vehicles, and B the improved cleaner and rectifier for purification of the lubricating oil for the engine. The apparatus B may embody a preheater C, a purifier D, and a condenser or separator E.

' The engine A and which is of usual construction, embodies the crank case 10 provided with the usual oil sump 11, and intake manifold 12, carburetor 13, and an exhaust manifold 14.

With this type of engine, the lubricating system embodiesa pump P having a suction pipe 15 extending therefrom to the oil sump 11, and in some instances, the oil drawn through the pump P re-enters the crank case 10 at an entrance port 16 and is led to splash troughs for lubrication of the crank shaft 17 and its associated part-s.

With this invention, the oil from the pump P instead of being returned directly from the pump to the entrance port 16, is led through suitable cleaning apparatus before passingr to the entrance port 16.

Referring now to the specific construction and arrangement of the apparatus B, and more specificall I to the preheater C, the preheater is prefera ly formed of cast metal of substantially semi-circular shape in cross section and is secured by means of suitable straps 18 longitudinally of the exhaust manifold 14 at a point rearwardly of the purifier D. The preheater is divided longitudinally by a centrally disposed'partition 1 9 lll which divides the preheater into independent compartments 2O and 20 having a connnunicating passageway 2l provided at the rear end of the compartment by terminating the partition 19 short of the rear end wall of the preheater. The compartment 20 is provided with an entrance port 22, while the compartment 20 is provided with an exit port 23. A feed pipe 24 extends from the outlet port of the pump P and is suitably connected at its opposite end with the rear end ot' the preheater C so that oil when pumped through the feed pipe 24 will pass [irst into the compartment 20 through the entrance port 22 and travel the full length of the preheater and through the opening 2l before passing to the exit port 23. Thus it will be seen that when the engine is in operation, the oil will travel in a tortuous path through the preheater and be heated to a high degree and partially vaporized due to the heat transmitted to the preheater from the hot exhaust manifold 14.

Referring now to the purifier D, and which is preferably mounted as by means of a suitable bracket 25 to the exhaust mani- 'lold 14 at a point adjacent the rear end of the manifold, the same embodies in part, a tubular casing 26 adapted to be mounted in a vertical position by the bracket 25 directly to the side or' the exhaust manifold so that the heat radiated from the manifold will heat the casing 26. casing 26 is closed by a conical shaped bottom 27 provided at its lower end with a suitable petcock 28. This conical shaped bottom 27 provides an annular seat 29 at the lower end ot the tubular casing 26. Fitting in the tubular easing 26, and resting upon the annular seat 29 is a partition plate or diaphragm 3() of concave-convex formation arranged with its convexsurface uppermost and provided with an axially disposed raised portion forming a step bearing 31.

' Arranged adjacent the marginal edge of the diaphragm 30, is a plurality ol' suitably tormed drain openings 32 which open into a` sediment chamber 33 formed by the diaphragm and the conical shaped bottom 2T.

Rotatably mounted in the tubular casing 26, and supported at its lower end by means of a suitable bearing pin 34 revoluble in the step bearing 31, is an agitator 35 which serves for removing by means of a centrifugal action, foreign matter from the lubricating oil passing through the purier. This agitator 35 embodies upper and lower end discs 36 and 37 respectively, and between which is mounted a number of elongated vanes or blades 38 each having hook shape outer edges 39 all of which are offset in a like direction circumferentially of the agitator. Connecting each ot the vanes 33 at a point between the outer edges ot the vanes and the points ot intersection of the venes,

The lower end of the and extending to the end plates 36 and 37, is a sheet of screening material 40 forming a plurality of screened chambers 41 having communication with one another directly below the top agitator plate 36. This com- -municating passageway for the chambers 41 may be provided by bevelling off the inner portions of the top edges of the vanes 38 as illustrated at 42 in Figure 2. Suitably mounted adjacent the upper end of the tubular casing 26, and opening outwardly thereof, is an outlet tube 43 having a depending bearing portion 44 provided at its inner end which opens into the communicating passageway for the screened chambers 41, and which depending portion 44 serves as a bearing for the upper end of the agitator 35 by extending for a short distance through the top agitator plate 36.

The upper end of the tubular casing 26 is provided with an outturned marginal flange 45 and to which is secured as by suitable fastening element-s 46, a cap 47 having a dome shaped portion 43 forming a chamber for receiving a float valve 45) the stem portion at the lower side of which -is mounted in a suitable cross arm 50 extending across the lower side ot the cap. The stem 51 at the upper side of the Hoat engages in a suitable valve seat 52 when the float is raised for closing the gas port opening at the top portion of the dome 48.

Opening into the tubular casing 26, and at a point midway of the height of the agitator 35, is a nozzle 54 having the port at the inner end of the nozzle opening tangentially of the tubular casing and directed toward the agitator vanes 38 as clearly illustrated in Figure 5. Connected between the nozzle 54 and the exit port 23 of the preheater C, is a connecting pipe 55 which extends longitudinally along the manifold 14 from the preheater to the purifier D. Thus it will be seen that the oil when passing through the pipe 55 and nozzle 54 is thrown against the vanes of the agitator in a manner whereby the oil serves as means for rotating the agitator within the tubular casing 26.

Connected with the outer end of the outlet tube 43, is an oil return pipe 56 which connects with the entrance port 16 of the crank case 11 in a manner whereby the clean oil passes under pressure from the upper end ol" the purifier E back into the crank ease 10 through the port 16.

Referring now to the` condenser or separator D, and which is preferably secured to the engine lli at a point near the forward end of the engine as by means ol a suitable clamp 57, the same comprises a tubular shell 60 being closed at its upper and lower ends by end walls 61 and 62 provided with upper and lower ports 63 and 64 respectively is will be observed in Figure l, this tubular shell is mounted in a vertical position upon the engine and at a comparatively cool part of the engine directly behind the cooling fan F. Secured in a suitable manner within the tubular shell 60, is a series of superposed spaced cone shaped screen baies 65.-

A T coupling 66 is connected with the lower end of the shell 60 with its angular opening communicating with the port 64 at the lower end of the shell.. Connected at one end with the straight way of the coupling 66, is a gas transfer pipe 67 having its opposite end connected with the port provided in the dome 48 of the purifier D. Connected with the opposite straight way opening of the'coupling 66, and extending downwardly therefrom, is a branch pipe 68 which may be connected at its lower end into the crank case 10 at any referred location as far as possible above t e oil level in the crank case. Connected with the port 63 at the u per end of the shell 60, is a gas feed pipe 0 having its opposite end connected with and opening into the intake manifold 12 at any desired location so that gas when passing through the pipes may readily mix with the explosive charge from the carburetor 13.

The condenser or separator E, and through which gases from the top of the purifier D are drawn b suction in the intake manifold 12, serves or condensing any heavy oils which may be contained in the gas and allowing the products of condensation to flow back into the crank case 10 through the oil return pipe 68 and the lighter gases allowed to be drawn through the pipe 70 into the manifold 12. By so having the condenser or separator E located at'the front of the engine, and directly behind the cooling fan F, the same will at alltimes be maintained in a comparatively cool state for condensing of the gases being drawn upwardly through the screen baflles 65.

As to the operationof the device, the pumpfP draws oil from the sump 11 of the crank case ,10 and delivers the oil through the pipe 24 into the preheater C wherein the oil is heated to a high degree and partially vaporized by the heat created by the exhaust manifold 14. From the preheater C, the highly heated oil is forced through the pipe 55 to the purifier nozzle 54 and is directed in a tangential direction by the nozzle forstriking the agitator vanes 38 for rotation of the agitator. This rotation of the agitator 35' forces the particlesof foreign material to the inner wallof' the tubular casing 26 whereby the particles settle t0 the partition plate or diaphragm 30 and pass through t-he openings 32 into the settling chamber 33 to be drawn o' at suitable intervals upon opening of the Valve 28. The lighter and clean oil is allowed to pass through the screens 40 and enter the chambers 41 whereby the clean oil may be forced through the outlet tube 43 and under pressure through the return pipe 56 into the crank case 10 through the port 16. In the heating process, the gasoline and oils which are too light for further lubrication of the particular engine upon which the device is installed, is vaporized and rises into the float chamber at the top of the purifier and lowers the oil level which allows the float 49 to be lowered for opening of the valve and allowing the gases to be drawn by suction of the intake manifold, through the pipe 67 into the bottom of the condenser or `:eparator E whereby upon passage through the screen baffles 65 the heavier oils are condensed and allowed to return to the crank case 10 through the pipe 68. The gases assing through the device E are drawn into the` intake manifold 12 where they become mixed with the gases from the carburetor 13 and are burned with the explosive charge. These gases which enter the manifold 12 through the pipe 70, are fairly heavily laden with oil which serve-s to provide perfect top piston and valve lubrication for the engine. Any vapors which are drawn through the pipe 68 by suction of the in take manifold, will also be condensed in the device E and the products of condensation therefrom allowed to drain back into the crank case.

It may be found in some instances that the preheater C may be dispensed with` if the contact of the purifier D with the exhaust manifold 14 is sufficient to heat the oil to they desired temperature. and with the dispensingY of the preheater, the feed pipe 24 is connected directly from the pump P to the nozzle 54 of the purifier. By so having the purifier D'connected directly to the exhaust manifold 14. sufficient heat willl be formed in most instances bythe natural heat of the -oil and the extra heat of the purier by being in contact wlth the'exhaust manifold, to vaporize the oil suciently for proper forming of thegases to be transferred to the intake manifold 12.

Where additional top lubrication is desirable or necessary, the separator E may be dispensed with and the transfer pipe 67` connectedv from the cap 47 directly into the intake manifold 12 so that the gases from the purifier are delivered directly into the manifold. l

' From the foregoing description it will be apparent that a novel and efficient oil heating and rectifying apparatusmas been provided for use in connection with internal combustion engines` embodying features whereby foreign matter such as particles of dirt and the like will be thoroughly removed from the lubricating oil during operation of the engine, and also embodying lit) tgl

features whereby fuel oils which have become mixed with the lubricating oil, are vaporized and admitted into the intake manifold of the engine for forming a part of the explosive charge for the engine.

Changes -in detailmay be made to the specific form of the invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

l. An oil rectifier for internal combustion engines comprising a casing having oil inlet and outlet ports, an agitator rotatably mounted in the casing, a gas chamber at the upper end of said casing, and a transfer pipe connected at one end with said chamber and having its opposite end opening into the intake manifold 0f the engine.

2. An oil rectifier forV internal combustion engines comprising a tubular casing having oil inlet and outlet ports, a settling chamber, an agitator rotatably mounted in the casing above said chamber, a gas chamber above said agitator, and a transfer pipe connected at one end with the upper end .of sald gas chamber and having its opposite end opening into the intake manifold of the engine.

3. An oil rectifier for internal combustion engines comprising a tubular casing having oil inlet and outlet ports, an agitator rotatably mounted in the casing, a gas chamber at the upper end of said casing and provided with a gas outlet opening, a ioat in said gas chamber for automatic opening and closing of the gas outlet opening, and a transfer pipe connected at one end with the gas outlet opening and having its` opposite end opening into the intake manifold of the engine.

4. An oil rectifier for internal combustion engines comprising a tubular casing having oil inlet and outlet ports, a settling chamber .at the lower end of the casing, an agitator rotatably mounted in the casing above the settling chamber, a dome shaped cap carried by the upper end of the casing and provided with an outlet opening, a fioat arranged in the dome of the cap for automatic opening and closing of the outlet opening of the dome, and a transfer pipe communicating at one end with the outlet opening of the dome and having its opposite endopening into the intake manifold of the engine.

5. An oil rectifier for internal combustion engines comprising a tubular casing having an oil inlet and an oil outlet arranged above the oil inlet, a settling chamber at the lower end of the casing providing an annular shoulder, a partition plate provided with apertures, resting upon said shoulder, an agitator rotatably supported at its lower end upon the upper face of the partition plate, means for rotatabldy supporting the agitator at its upper en a gas chamber provided above the agitator, a transfer pipe connected at one end with said gas chamber and having its opposite end opening into the intake manifold of the engine, and valve means in the gas chamber for closing of the passageway through said transfer pipe.

6. An oil rectifier for internal combustion engines comprising a tubular casing having oil inlet and outlet ports, a settling cham-V ber, an agitator rotatably mounted in the casing and provided with screened chambers communicating with the oil outlet port, a gas chamber formed at the upper end of the casing above said agitator, and ak transfer pipe connected at one end with said chamber and having its opposite end opening into the intake manifold of the engine.

7. An oil rectifier for internal combustion engines comprising a tubular casing having oil inlet and outlet ports, a settling chamber formed at the lower end of the casin and providing an annular seat, a erforate partition plate resting upon sai seat and provided on its upper side with a step bearing, an agitator rotatably supported at its lower end upon the step bearing and embodying radially extending vanes connected inwardly of their outer edges by separate screens forming screened chambers communicating with one another at the top portion of the agitator and connected with the outlet port of the casing, means for rotatably supporting the upper end of the agitator, a gas chamber at the upper end of the casing and provided with an outlet opening, a float valve for automatic opening andl closing of the outlet opening of the gas chamber, and a transfer pipe connected at one end with the gas chamber and having its opposite end opening into the intake manifold of the engine.

8. An oil rectifier for internal combustion engines comprising a tubular casing having an oil inlet port opening into the casing mid way of the height of the casing, a perforated partition plate supported in the lower end of the casing and forming a settling chamber, an agitator provided with screened chambers communicating with one another at the top center of the agitator, rotatably supported at its lower end upon said partition plate, an outlet tube providinganoil outlet port, carried by the upper portion of the casing and having a depending portion opening into the communicating passageway of the screened chambers andproviding a pivot for the top portion of the agitator, a gas chamber provided above the agitator, and a transfer pipe connected at one end with said gas chamber and having its opposite end opening into the intake manifold of the engine.

9. An oil rectifier for internal combustion llU engines comprising a tubular casin having oil inlet and outlet ports, .a conica section at the lower end of the casing provided with step' bearingprovided onits -upper convex t side and having apertures adjacent its lmarginal edge, resting upon said annular seat andjproviding a settling chamber, an agitator disposed'in the casing vand rotatably supported at its lower end upon said step bearing, said agitator beingprovided with screened chambers communicating one with r -the'other at the top of the agitator, an outlet tube connectingv the screened fp chambers with the oil outlet port of the casing and providing a bearing for the upper end of the agitator, a cap fitting over the upper end of t-he casing and having a dome forming a gas chamber, and a transfer pipe connected at one end with said gas chamber and having its opposite end opening into the intake manifold of the engine. j

10. The combination with an internal combustion engine having a lubricating system embodying a force pump for distribution of the. lubricant, of a` rectier com rising a tubular casing, an a itator rotatab y mounted in the casing an provided with radially extending vanes, 'a nozzle opening into the side of the casing and directed tangentially of the casing, a feed pipe connected between said nozzle and force pumpl for delivering oil against the vanes of t e agitator for rotation thereof, an outlet tube connected with the tubular casing above said nozzle `and having an oil return pipe connected therewith, a gas chamber provided at the upper end of thecasing, and a transfer pipe connected at one end with said gas chamber and having its opposite end opening into the intake manifold of the engine.

11. The combination withJan internal combustion engine having a lubricating system Vembodying a force pump for distribution of the lubricant, of a combined cleaner and' rectifier for the lubricant comprisingl a tubular casing having a settling chamberpro-V vided at its lower end, an agitator embodying radially extending vanes and screened chambers, rotatably mounted in the casing,`

a nozzle opening -into the side of the casing midway of the height of the casing and having its opening directed toward the vanes of the agitator, an oil feed pipe connected with the force pump. and nozzle whereby the'oil passing through the nozzle `will rotate theagitator, an outlet tube communicating with the screened chambers of the agitator, an oil return pipe connected with the outlet tube for return of the oil tothe engine, va gas chamber provided at the upper end of said casing, a transfer pipe connected at one end with said gas chamber and having its opposite end opening into the intake manifold of the engine, and a fioat .l

12.' Inapparatus of t-he class described, the

combination with an internal combustion engine having' a llubricating system embodying a force pumpfor distribution of the lubri` cant, lof a rectifier comprising a tubular casing having oil inlet and outlet ports, an agitator rotatably mounted inthe casing, an oil feed pipe connected at one end with said pump and at its other end to the inlet opening of the casing, an oil return pipe connected with the outlet port of the casing, a gas chamber provided at the upper-end Iof the casing, a condenser, a transfer pipe connecting said gas chamber with the lower end of said condenser, and a conductor connected at one end with the upper end of the c011- denser and having its opposite end opening into the intake manifold of the engine.

13. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with an internal combustion engine having a lubricating system embodying a force pump for distribution of the lubricant, of a rectifier comprising a preheater, a feed pipe connecting said pump and preheater, a purifier embodying a tubu# lar casing having oil inlet and outletports, an agitator rotatably mounted in the casing, =and a gas chamber. at the upper end of said casing, a pipe connected between the casing and said preheater, an oil return pipe convthe intake manifold of the engine.

l 145. In combination with an internal combustion engine,ifor motor vehicles including intake and exhaust manifolds, and a lubri` eating system embodying a force pump for distribution of the lubricant, of a combined cleaner and rectifying apparatus for the lubricant comprising a preheater adapted for Iattachment to the exhaust manifold at the rear end of the engine, a. feed pipe connecting the pump with said preheater, a purifier adapted for attachment to the eX- haust manifold adjacent the rear end thereof and provided with oil inlet .and outlet ports and a gas outlet port, a pipe connecting the preheater with 7the inlet port of the purifier, a pipe connecting the outlet port of the purifier and forming an oil return pipe for return of the oil to the engine, a condenser mounted adjacent the forward portion of the engine and having ports provided at its upioo per and lower ends, a gas transfer pipe connected at one end with the gas outlet port of the purifier and at its opposite end to the lower port oit' the condenser, a second pipe connected with the lowerport of the condenser and opening into the crank case of the engine, and apipe'connected at one end with the port at the top of the condenser and having its opposite end opening into the intake manifold of the en ine.

l5. The combination wit 1 an internal combustion engine having a lubricating system embodying a force pump for distribution of the lubricant, and a crank case serving as a reservoir for the lubricant, of an oil cleaner comprising a tubular casing, having oil inlet and outlet ports, a pipe connecting the force pump and opening into the inlet port of the cleaner, an agitator rotatably mountedin the casing and provided with radially extending vanes, and a return pipe connected with the outlet port of the casing for returning the cleaned oil under pressure to the engine. 16. The combination with an internal combustion engine including a crank case serving as an oil reservoir, and having a lubricating system embodying a force pump connected with the crank case for distribution of the lubricant, of an oil cleaner comprising a tubular casing having oil inlet and out let ports, an agitator rotatably mounted in the casing and provided with radially extending vanes a drain valve provided at the lower end of the casing, an oil feed pipe connected at the inlet port vof the casing and leading to the force pump, and an oil return pipe connected with the outlet port of the casing for delivering the cleaned oil back linto the side of the casinrr and directed tangentially of the casing, a reed pipe connected between said nozzle and force pump for delivering oil under ypressure against the vanesof the agitator for rotation thereof, and an oil return pipe connected with the tubular casing above said nozzle for returning the cleaned oil under full pump pressure back to the engine. i

oARMELo soRAo'Io. 

